The Steve Austin Show – SAS CLASSIC
Guest: Ariane Andrew (Cameron)
Air Date: April 15, 2025
Location: Hollywood, CA, by way of the Broken Skull Ranch
Length: Approx. 1 hour, 20 minutes
Episode Overview
Steve Austin sits down with Ariane Andrew, best known to WWE fans as Cameron, in a candid and lively interview. They discuss Ariane’s journey from the California Valley to WWE stardom, her surprising start in wrestling, Tough Enough memories, life on the road, her release from WWE, and the emotional aftermath. The conversation highlights her transition to acting and tackles issues like being misunderstood by the public, striving for personal growth, and weathering controversy and social media scrutiny. Throughout, Steve and Ariane maintain an honest and playful rapport, touching on both the highs and challenging realities of the pro wrestling business.
Key Segments & Discussion Highlights
Ariane’s Cali Roots & Academic Background
[01:31–04:36]
- Ariane was born and raised a "Valley girl" in California, attending Cal State Northridge where she earned two degrees: Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
- Before wrestling, she worked with autistic children and was planning to become a doctor in the special needs field.
Ariane: "Before WWE, I was working with autistic children, and I was about to get my master’s because I wanted to become a doctor. And then WWE happened, so… yeah." [03:35]
Entering Wrestling via Tough Enough
[05:12–10:00]
- Ariane's first WWE-related audition was a Diva Search, where she was upfront about not being a wrestling fan—this honesty ended up landing her on Tough Enough.
- She describes the pressure as a newbie and the infamous incident where she told Steve her favorite match was "Melina vs. Alicia Fox," much to his bewilderment (still a running meme).
Ariane: "I really wasn’t an avid wrestling fan... and I was just like, you know, it’s one of those type of things that has lived with me forever. But I don’t regret what I said because… if you don’t make mistakes, you don’t learn and you don’t grow." [07:31]
- She reflects on the physically demanding and humbling Tough Enough drills and being the first eliminated, only to prove everyone wrong by building a career with WWE.
Steve: "You, the first person eliminated from Tough Enough—and shoot, the only person to have a career." [64:25]
Life in WWE: Main Roster, Road Life, and Transition
[10:09–16:02, 25:34–29:05, 42:31–47:39]
- Ariane spent five years with WWE, four on the main roster (“I was there five years, four years on the main roster.” [11:07]), finding body aches manageable, feeling “blessed” avoiding major injury.
- Austin and Ariane share war stories about living out of suitcases, missing life events, and how the wrestling business isn’t as glamorous as fans might think.
Ariane: "You're gone 24/7… You miss birthdays, you miss graduations, you miss holidays...You get to ride on a bus and have your feet kicked up. No, not so much.” [13:42]
- Fashion & image: Ariane shares that she’d often rotate outfits to maintain her image for both fans and management.
The Release, Social Media, & Mental Health
[16:02–24:12, 35:02–38:52]
- Ariane details her self-imposed break from WWE to improve and how social media controversy may have contributed to her release.
- She expresses frustration at negativity from the “IWC” (Internet Wrestling Community), dealing with racist and hateful comments, and standing up for herself online and through anti-bullying campaigns.
Ariane: "You can have an opinion, you don’t have to like someone, but to, like, wish death on someone’s family or say racial remarks...that’s not… No one knows, like, people just, you know… you hear things...But if you don’t love it, there’s no way you can do it...I did grow to have a passion for it." [19:03–19:58]
- She recounts receiving the call from WWE talent relations (Mark Carrano) about her release, feeling “numb” but ultimately grateful for the journey and ready for new chapters.
Acting, New Goals, and Wrestling Ambivalence
[25:34–42:31, 62:26–66:36]
- Ariane is now pursuing acting in LA, taking intensive improv and scene study classes—though she admits it’s daunting and that she sometimes falls behind due to ADD ("I'll start reading, then, 'let me get some fruit'…” [30:53]).
- She feels acting comes more naturally to her than wrestling did—but is torn, still feeling she has more to prove as a wrestler.
Ariane: "I feel like I've always had, like, a raw talent...they didn’t choose me for the part, but they were like, we like you, we think you’re a raw talent...” [42:59]
- She’s open, but unsure about an in-ring future: “I still have the wrestling bug… but I consider myself an entrepreneur.” [34:08, 40:28]
Reflections on Total Divas and Public Perception
[49:01–54:06]
- Ariane participated in three seasons of Total Divas, but feels only a small part of her was shown.
- She's wary of being pigeonholed by reality TV, wanting to be viewed as more than just “Cameron” from WWE.
Ariane: "For me, people only got to see 2% of who Ariane is...That’s kind of the unfortunate." [49:46]
Thoughts on Wrestling Industry, Friendships, and Legacy
[61:07–66:36]
- Discussing the competitive WWE locker room, Ariane admits she generally kept to herself, but did maintain friendships with some (notably Naomi and Eva Marie).
- She reflects with pride on her unlikely journey from first-eliminated Tough Enough contestant to five-year WWE star.
- Fun memories: She didn’t set out to be a dancer but embraced the opportunity ('Funkadactyls') as a stepping stone into wrestling.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On being underestimated and thriving:
"Five year run, first one gone, and the last one standing." — Ariane Andrew [64:25]
- On tough lessons and criticism:
"If you don’t make mistakes, you don’t learn and you don’t grow." — Ariane Andrew [07:31]
- On life after WWE:
"I feel like nothing will ever be able to fill that void because that's a completely different world… but doesn't mean that the next chapter is gonna suck... It was an amazing memory. Now time to make even more memories.” — Ariane Andrew [67:54–68:41]
- Steve on wrestling’s reality vs. perception:
"People think it’s glamorous… you get to ride on a bus and have your feet kicked up and it’s like, no, not so much.” [13:42]
- On being a businesswoman and moving ahead:
"I consider myself more of an entrepreneur than– I would never say actress.” — Ariane Andrew [58:03]
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [01:31] – Ariane’s education, Cali upbringing, and early career working with autistic children
- [05:12] – How she got into wrestling, honesty in the Diva Search and Tough Enough process
- [06:33] – The meme-worthy “Melina vs. Alicia Fox” favorite match moment
- [10:09] – Transitioning to WWE’s FCW, early in-ring struggles and learning the business
- [13:42] – Reality of life on the road, balancing work/fashion/fitness
- [16:02] – Voluntary WWE hiatus, return/NXT, trying to rebrand, and the emotional toll
- [19:03] – Dealing with hate, bullying, and social media toxicity
- [25:34] – Moving into acting, improv and scene study experiences
- [34:08] – Wrestling bug vs. new career, staying multidimensional, considering a return to academia
- [49:01] – Reflections on three seasons of Total Divas, dissatisfaction with reality TV editing
- [61:07] – Friendships and politics in the WWE locker room, pride in achievements
- [64:01] – Steve's praise for Ariane's journey: first gone, longest run
- [65:02] – Dancing as a Funkadactyl: fake it 'til you make it lesson
Podcast’s Signature Tone & Style
The episode is high-energy, spontaneous, and laced with candid self-reflection. Steve provides both enthusiastic encouragement and grounded advice pulled from wrestling’s “tough love” ethos. Ariane is honest, resilient, sometimes vulnerable—open about missteps, her frustrations, and the realities of fame. Their shared wrestling background brings easy chemistry and mutual respect.
Useful Links & Further Engagement
- Instagram: @arianeandrew
- Website: arianeandrewnow.com
- Twitter (at time of show): @WWECameron (with plans to update handle)
Summary Takeaway
Ariane’s journey is one of self-discovery and reinvention, facing public scrutiny and industry challenges with humor and openness. Her story is an underdog tale marked by grit, adaptability, and honesty, making for an inspiring and insightful listen for fans of wrestling, entertainment, and anyone navigating big life transitions.